Thank you to all SDA Union members who took part in our recent SDA Member Survey about housing.
The responses have helped to provide a powerful picture of the housing challenges many of you are facing and what needs to change.
Over 2,000 SDA members completed the survey. Here are some of the key findings:
What you told us about your experience
- Housing costs are rising: 60% of members expect to spend more than 30% of their income on housing, and over a third (36%) expect to spend more than half.
- Older members are under pressure: 10% of members aged 55+ expect to spend more than 75% of their income on housing.
- Renting is common: 51% of members are currently renting, and 71% do not own the home they live in.
- Housing aspirations feel out of reach: 59% say they’re unlikely to meet their long-term housing goals, including 45% who feel extremely unlikely.
- Financial sacrifices are real: 1 in 3 members are cutting back on essentials like food and bills just to afford housing.
- Renters are stretched: 69% of renting members have taken on a second job or downsized their living situation.
What you think would help to fix it
- Nearly two-thirds (63%) believe increasing wages is the most effective way to improve housing affordability.
- Members told us that better access to affordable housing would help reduce financial stress (63%), improve wellbeing (56%), and allow them to save more (61%).
- Other solutions members support include:
- Expanding rent-to-own programs – options for renters to buy the home they’re living in over time (41%)
- Offering low-interest loans (39%)
- Encouraging build-to-rent-to-own developments – housing built specifically for rent-to-own options (49%)
- Phasing out stamp duty (25%)
Every Australian deserves secure and affordable housing.
These findings will help shape our advocacy and campaigns moving forward.
We’ll continue to push for fair wages, pay rises every year, secure housing, and better working conditions for all SDA members.